P. Bharathiraja Biography 
P. Bharathiraja is a South Indian film producer and director. He has won applause for portraying the realistic and sensitive village life in his movies. He was born on 17th July 1941 in Alli Nagaram in Theni in Tamil Nadu. His parents are Periya Maya Thevar and Meenatchiammaal alias Karuthammaal. He is the fifth child to his parents. He married Chandra Leelavathi and has two children, Son Manoj and daughter Janani Iswariya.
He was interested in deer hunting and literature in his younger days. He always had the dream of film making. He started his career as a Sanitary Inspector in the Public Health Department in 1963. His first drama was Oor Sirikkirathu which he wrote, acted and directed. He moved to Madras and staged his Summa Oru Kadhai and Adhigaaram. He also directed radio dramas and music programs. He worked in a petrol bunk to make up his living. It was the singer S. P. Balasubramanyam who helped him to enter the film industry.
He worked with Puttanna Kanagal in 1967 as an assistant director and worked with Krishnan Nair, Avinasi Mani and many others before he directed himself for the first time in 1977. His first film was 16 Vayathinilei and this gave him a big break. This has been one of the influential films even now. His next film Kizhakke Pogum Rail was also very successful. Then he directed Sigappu Rojakkal which was also a box office success.
Then he gave a thriller film Tik…Tik…Tik…, and an experimental film Nizhalgal. The love stories in a village backdrop were Alaigal Oivadhillai, Mann Vasanai and Muthal Mariyathai. In the film Vedham Pudhithu, he dealt with the caste problem in a different manner. He paid tribute to his mother through the film Karuththamma. His mother received the National Award on behalf of him from the President in 1994. He received another national award in 1996 for Anthimanthaarai.
He has received National Film Award for Best Feature Film three times, National Film Awards for Best Film on Social Issues once and for Best Film on Family Welfare one time and for Best Screenplay once. He received Filmfare South Best Director Award for Sigappu Rojakkal, Tamil Nadu State Best Director Award for Alaigal Oivathillai Nandi Award for Best Director for Seethakoka Chiluka. He is a staunch supporter of Eelam Tamils. When Padma Shri award was given to him, he returned it as the Government of India did not support Tamilians in Eelam.
Published: N/A
Updated: March 07, 2014
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